FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4/16/2025

Two Leading Soccer Clubs Unite to Elevate Player Development Across Eastern Iowa

Quad Cities, Iowa – April 2025 – In a landmark moment for youth soccer in the state, two of Eastern Iowa’s most established clubs are joining forces to form a unified, elite player development platform. This strategic merger will combine resources, coaching expertise, and top-tier facilities to expand opportunities for young athletes and raise the standard of the game statewide.

The newly merged club will be headquartered at the premier TBK Bank Sports Complex, home to:

• Two full-sized indoor fields – the only facility of its kind in Iowa
• Eight fully turfed outdoor fields
• Two additional natural grass fields
• Fully lit fields to maximize year-round training and competition

This unmatched infrastructure positions the club as the state’s leader in both development environment and competitive experience.

A cornerstone of the merger is the expanded pathway to elite competition. Players in the region will now gain local access to ECNL (Elite Clubs National League) and ECNL-RL (Regional League) platforms—through a strengthened partnership with Sporting Iowa, the state’s only club offering ECNL National for both boys and girls.

“This merger is a game-changer for soccer in our region,” said Paul Dayrell, Sporting Iowa Strikers Director of Coaching. “By aligning all operations from 13U and older with The Strikers Soccer Club, we’re creating an unmatched platform for players to grow and compete—whether their path leads to college soccer or beyond.”

On the impact locally, Dayrell added, “This isn’t just about elite soccer—it’s about access. Players across the Quad Cities and surrounding areas will now have a clear pathway to the highest levels of the game, right here at the TBK.”

Kathryn Kunkel, Sporting Iowa Strikers Club Coordinator, emphasized the shared vision:

“It’s time. We’re thrilled to unite two clubs with one mission—creating more opportunity for youth in our region. This collaboration empowers players across Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois to thrive in an organized, elite, and supportive environment.”

Mike Sampson, CFO, TBK Bank Sports Complex championed the move saying “One of the most important pillars with regards to the vision of our campus is to provide exceptional opportunities for local and regional sports to flourish. This merger represents all that is good about what happens at the TBK and we look forward to more success stories moving forward.”

This merger marks a new chapter for soccer in the state—focused on unity, development, and excellence. Additional information on programming, tryouts, and coaching staff will be shared in the coming weeks.

TBK Bank Sports Complex

All games are played at the brand new state of the art TBK Bank Sports Complex. All turf. All lights. Full indoor turf.

TBK Bank Sports Complex

4850 Competition Drive
Bettendorf, Iowa 52722

sportingiowaeast@pldsports.org

Sporting Iowa East and Sporting Iowa Central's partnership continues and evolves, with Eastern Iowa players gaining access to ECNL platforms for both boys and girls. 

Sporting Iowa Central & East are excited to announce the next step in our evolution! Since the inception of Sporting Iowa Central and East partnership in 2017 players, families and coaches have reaped the benefits of what both clubs offered.

Sporting Iowa Central have recently become the first and only full ECNL club member (boys & girls) in the state of Iowa. As a result, both clubs would like to share this groundbreaking achievement with Eastern Iowa players. We want to ensure families from the eastern reaches of the state have access to the unrivaled pathways to the very best league in the country.  

Sporting Iowa East will be Sporting Iowa Central’s preferred and only partner to gain access for players to the ECNL.

If you are a family from the East side of the state and would like access to the ECNL pathways be sure to reach out for further details. Over the coming weeks we will be releasing a detailed list of FAQ's and informational presentation for families interested in trying out.

Take advantage of this partnership and register for tryouts today;

Current Sporting Iowa East players register directly with Sporting East https://www.sportingiowaeast.com/page/show/5769696-tryouts-2021-22-season

New players* to the Sporting network register directly with Sporting Central https://www.sportingiowasoccer.org/tryoutschedule

*If you have already registered with Sporting Iowa East we will transfer your registration across

Tryout requirements for ECNL consideration will be announced later this week